Call for Abstracts

SUBMISSIONS OPEN IN FEBRUARY

We invite you to submit an abstract for the HGSA 48th Annual Scientific Meeting, with the theme "Genetic Ecosystems".

Abstracts are invited on any aspects relating to human genetics. As part of your submission you will be asked to indicate on the submission form to which SIG session you would like your submission to be considered for:

Australasian Association of Clinical Geneticists (AACG)
Australasian Society of Genetic Counsellors (ASGC)
Australasian Society of Diagnostic Genomics (ASDG)
Australasian Society for Inborn Errors of Metabolism (ASIEM)

Abstracts relating to human genetic research that fall outside these SIGs can be submitted under the HGSA category. You can also indicate if your abstract is EESIC-related in topic (education, ethics, policy, legal, insurance or other social issues) or methodology (qualitative or non-empirical).

Presentation Types include:
Oral Presentation
Poster Presentation
ASGC Interesting Case report*
*Interesting Case Reports for the ASGC SIG Meeting:
- only 150 words is required and these will be reviewed separately by the ASGC LOC.
Key Dates
Call for Abstracts - Opens February 2025
Call for Abstracts Closes - 17 April 2025
From early June 2025 - Authors notified of outcome
Early Bird Registration closes - 30 June 2025

Abstract Submission

All abstracts must be submitted ONLINE (opens Feb 2025). The abstract must be submitted as a completed WORD document.

A sample abstract is available to download here to assist you in following the required format. (This document has been created using the required format. They can therefore be used as a template by simply typing over the existing contents of the file.)

When saving your word document, please save the document using your surname e.g. ‘smith.doc’. If you are submitting more than one abstract please label as ‘smith1.doc, smith2.doc etc’.

There is a limit of 250 words in the main body of the abstract. Abstracts over this limit will be asked to revise to the word limit.

Abstracts will be assessed based on the following criteria:

Abstract Quality
Hypothesis and Methods
Relevance to Professional Practice
Relevance to Conference Theme

View the HGSA Abstract Scoring rubric here. To assist you in preparing your abstract, please view the HGSA Webinar: "From abstract to presentation-how to prepare for the HGSA annual scientific meeting".

See below for more detailed instructions on preparing and submitting your abstract.

Instructions & Guidelines

Abstracts must be typed in English
Abstracts must be uploaded as a WORD document.
Abstracts must not exceed 250 words in the body of the abstract, excluding title, authors and institution
Abbreviations should be used only for common terms (for uncommon terms, the abbreviation should be given in brackets after the first full use of the word)
Abstracts should be thoroughly checked for correct spelling and grammar before finalising the submission.
Please ensure that you include all information requested on the abstract submission form.
Indicate presentation type (oral or poster, or poster only or Interesting case report for ASGC SIG Meeting). Please refer to the Oral & Poster Sessions for more details and ASGC SIG Meeting here for more details.
Indicate under which SIG(s) (e.g. AACG, ASGC, ASDG, ASIEM), you would like your submission to be considered. Abstracts relating to human genetic research that falls outside these SIGs can be submitted under the ‘HGSA’ category.
Indicate if your abstract is EESIC-related in topic.
Include a short 50 word bio for the presenting author.
Indicate if you wish to be considered for an AWARD - Presenters are only eligible for awards if they apply at time of abstract submission, if they attend the ASM, and they fulfil the eligibility criteria (see awards section for more information).
Complete the authorisation and conflict of interest questions.
Final formatting will be undertaken by the Conference Secretariat.
Note: abstracts that have been previously presented at a previous meeting can still be submitted for this meeting. Abstracts that have been published, can only be submitted if the publication was within six months of the submission date.

Note: abstracts that are not selected for orals in the main conference program may be selected for an oral in the Saturday SIG day (as part of the submission you can exclude your submission from the SIG day).

The presenting author is required to ensure that all co-authors are aware of the content of the abstract before submission. Submission of abstracts implies the author’s agreement to publish the abstract in the digital handbook, Conference App, On-Demand portal and Twin Research and Human Genetics Journal, as applicable.

Format & Content

Word Limit	250 words in the body - excludes title, authors and institution. If your abstract is over 250 words you will be asked to reduce it to the word limit.
Font Type	Arial font
Font Size	11 point
Alignment & Line spacing	Left hand justified and single spacing
Title	Uppercase and bold
Author(s)	First Name then Surname. Presenting author is underlined.*If more than one author & address insert a superscript number at the end of the surname (for each author).
Author(s) Address (leave one line space between authors name & addresses)	Italics. Include institution, city, state, and country. One line per address *If more than one author & address designate each author’s address by a superscripted number before the address.
Main Body of Abstract	250 words The following structure may be followed: Background: a clear statement about why the study was done Aim/hypothesis/research question Methods: lab-based research: a statement(s) about the sample, the methods, analysis clinical/public health type research: a statement(s) about the sample, recruitment, method of data collection, data analysis; for quantitative data, some indication of statistical approach/measures; for qualitative data, some indication of the method and rigour of analysis Results: sample size (even in qualitative research), include data - avoid saying data will be presented Discussion/Conclusion: a concluding statement of outcome/significance

Abstract Acknowledgement

A confirmation email acknowledging receipt of your abstract submission will be automatically emailed to you once you have completed the online abstract submission. If you do not receive this confirmation email, please contact the Conference Secretariat.

If you wish to submit an additional abstract you can log back into the submission form by clicking on the submission link and signing in with your email and password.

NOTE: If you wish to edit your abstract only 'saved as draft' abstracts can be edited until the closing date. If you submitted your abstract and wish to make changes please email conference@aacb.asn.au with the changes.

Please note that all correspondence will be sent to the e-mail address from which the submitted abstract was received.

All presenters will be required to register for the meeting and have paid the registration fee; the Early Bird registration closes 30 June 2024.

Publication of Abstracts

Successful abstracts will be provided to delegates on the Conference APP and Conference On-Demand Portal.
Successful abstracts will also be published in an Issue of Twin Research and Human Genetics journal.

By submitting an abstract you are consenting to the publication of your abstract, if accepted, in these publications.

Speakers' Prep Room at Venue

All onsite presenters will be required to load their presentation at the Speakers’ Prep Room at the venue. This provides speakers with a private area to prepare before your presentation. When you arrive at the venue and check-in at registration, you will be directed to the Speakers' Prep Room, where a technician will assist you to transfer your PowerPoint presentation on to the network. Once the presentation is on the network, it may be reviewed on one of the computers in the room. Advice and assistance from experienced audio visual technical professionals will be on-hand for the duration of the Conference.

Presenters should check in at the Speakers' Preparation Room at least 4 hours before their presentation or, wherever possible, the day prior if speakers are presenting in the first session of the day.

Audio Visual
PowerPoint data projection is the method used for all presentations. All screens and projectors at the centre will be running in 16:9 format. The PowerPoint template is available to use to create presentations to match this format.

Conference Secretariat

AACB Services Pty Ltd
PO Box 7336, Alexandria NSW 2015
P: (61) 2 9660 6600 E: conference@aacb.asn.au